Hi All,
I had a WLE and SNB last thursday and although sore it wasn’t as bad as expected. The last day though my arm is feeling very sore like sunburn feeling from my armpit to my elbow. My armpit still feels numb in places but its my underarm im concered about. It isn’t red and doesn’t seem swollen just the sensation of sunburn. Is this normal nearly a week after surgery?
Thanks Hayley xxx
The sunburn sensation is down to nerve damage during surgery, and is quite common. It does go away, but it may take a few weeks to go completely.
Hi Roadrunner,
thanks for the info, it probably feels worse as im not on as many painkillers now so im noticing more.
Hayley xxx
Hi Pink Princess I had exactly the same procedure last Thursday, I haven’t got a sunburn feeling it’s more stinging and numbness trying to cut down on the pills but still having to take some to ease it. I suppose it is early days for both of us so hopefully going to get better day by day. At pre-op meeting I laughed at the arm exercises the physio gave me and thought how hard will they be, ooch I was very wrong finding them difficult but obviously doing them. Hope your arm feels better soon x
Hey Sunflower,
I wasn’t told to do any exercises i was just given a booklet in my blue folder. I have got quite a lot of movement in it now, can put my arm up in the air fully streched etc but by night time its painful again so not sure if im over doing it.
Just hoping that when i get my results on monday they have clear margins as will have to go through it all over again!
Hayley xxx
Hello!
I had surgery 9 days ago and you have described the pain perfectly - like sunburn. I even keep wincing, thinking that my clothes are rubbing against sunburn - but of course, the skin is fine.
I saw my surgeon yesterday who said it was normal for the pain to get worse (I was FINE the couple of days after surgery! Could wave my arms above my head and everything! Was feeling pretty smug until the pain started creeping in - by which time I’d been dispatched with a packet of paracetamol), peaking around a fortnight after surgery apparently. All to do with the healing process.
If you don’t have clear margins, the op to get better margins will be fine - it’s the SNB that’s caused this pain.
x
Hi Sandytoes,
yeah i know what you mean about feeling smug, said to my husband look what i can do…then Ouchhhhh lol.
lets just hope i dont need ANC then as i would be back to aquare one with the pain 
gonna keep myself as busy as possible untill monday, not sure how i will take it getting my results as i don’t want to feel like when i was DX it was the worst feeling ive ever gone through. I even have a bit of a phobia about going back into sorrell suite at worcs royal as thats where i was DX.
Hayley xxx
Hi I had my WLE and ANC 3 weeks ago today and suffered the nerve pain which was worse under my arm as yours, all you can do is take pain killers at this stage but one thing I found helped was if a put some talc under my arm but I wouldn’t recommend it unless you still have a dressing on or the wound is healing well and dry but it did help for short periods.
i understand your feelings about getting your results I was terrible especially the 2 days before but no matter what the results you will feel better if not immediately in a couple of days because you will have a plan and know what is going to happen next.
My results were good so I felt great but the lady I was in hospital with has to have another op and was very upset but feeling very positive again now.
Will be thinking of you on Monday and sending you all some hugs to take with you or comfort you when you need them:
((((HUG)))) ((((HUG))))
BW
Jean x
Hi Granny,
The talc seems a good idea. My armpit feels sticky but its not, very weird sensation.
The waiting is just horrible - if i could go sit in the pub all weekend i would just to get out of the house lol.
hayley xxx
Hi
I had exactly the same pain after my lumpectomy and snb last November.
As you describe it felt like sunburn!!
The breast care nurse said to ask my doctor for a medicated plaster
called Versatis, it contains lidocain which helps with the pain.
I found that using them helped me.
God girls, glad I’ve found this thread. I had an LD flap tidy up, which included nerves and tendons being cut/split under my arm (through my old SNB scar) to stop my boob jumping!
My surgery was on 12th and, like you, was thinking that was all doable. Week and a half in, have the sunburn feeling down my upper arm, and feel I may have cording coming (had this with original WLE).
Great to hear that this peeks at 2 weeks and should go. Planning to return to work on 7th, but need to get healing a bit faster!
Well wishes to all.
Blessing
Yes pink princess the waiting is the worst, it seems we have one day of having something done or seeing someone and then weeks of waiting for the next step!
I know what you mean about your armpit feeling sticky yet it isn’t, really weird sensation but the talc did help me. 3 weeks since op and everything is now beginning to settle down now and improving every day.
I’ll join you at the pub lol them first couple of weeks stuck indoors are brain damage, I am getting out a bit now on my own and hope to be able to drive again by the end of this week.
I hope you get on OK Blessing.
BW
Jean x
Sometimes the pain doesn’t go for a LONG time. I’m 8 months out of mastectomy and still have it…called postmastectomy pain syndrome. I am hoping it will keep getting better.
Hi I’m 6 weeks after Mx pain got worse after first two weeks ,I Have burning sensation and soreness keep thinking it’s easing then bam it’s back.I’m going away for the weekend in two weeks so fingers crossed
Thank you granny,
Didn’t get to be where I needed to be to return to work Mon. GP wanted to sigh for 2 weeks but said I said, 1 please…I think I’ll be ready then.
Pain alot better, can go most of day fine then about tea time it kicks in. Still painful lying on side in bed though. But, in the scheme of things I have nothing to complain about.
Wishing Pink Princess the best.
Blessing
If the pain continues it might be an idea to see your GP. There are drugs that specifically deal with nerve pain . They are things like Amitriptyline which is an antidepressant but works very well on burning pain following nerve damage as a result of surgery
I hope all is well soon
Cackles
Many thanks Cackles
Blessing